The Balrog of Khazad-dûm appearing in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was a major breach of Tolkien canon, but the finale of season 2 made it make much more sense. This fearsome beast was teased back in Rings of Power season 1, bringing up many valid concerns. While the Balrog does famously prove to be the destruction of this Dwarf kingdom, the Prime Video series approached this event in a way that didn’t fit with Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. However, now that “Durin’s Bane” has officially appeared, fears regarding further timeline changes can be calmed.

The Balrog seen in Rings of Power is the very same one that will eventually kill Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, so it makes some sense that Prime Video would want to feature it. The massive monster of smoke and flame is an iconic feature of the overarching franchise, and bringing it again to the screen satisfies those eager for a series that feels like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. The only problem is that the Balrog should not wake up and attack Khazad-dûm during the events of Rings of Power since this would be thousands of years too early.

Khazad-dûm’s Balrog Appearing In The Rings Of Power Was Way Too Early

The Balrog Isn’t Meant To Wake Up Until The Third Age

Rings of Power is set midway through the Second Age, which spans 3,441 years. The Prime Video series has condensed the timeline so that mortal characters aren’t dying of old age every other episode, which means several events are happening at different points in the Lord of the Rings timeline. While this is understandable in many cases, it didn’t explain the early arrival of Khazad-dûm’s Balrog. This beast isn’t supposed to destroy the Dwarf kingdom until almost 2,000 years into the Third Age—after Sauron’s downfall—when King Durin VI rules.

The Dwarves of Khazad-dûm have a lot left to do in the Second Age of Middle-earth, which means that its fall coming too early would significantly hinder the story going forward. When Rings of Power teased the Balrog waking up, it seemed Prime Video was sacrificing the plot for fan service. However, the second season of the Lord of the Rings series reveals that the Balrog likely won’t be destroying Khazad-dûm any time soon. Instead, Amazon managed to bring the Balrog to the screen in a way that makes sense and doesn’t blatantly ignore canon.

The Rings Of Power Season 2’s Ending Hints The Balrog May Return To Sleep

Rings Of Power Isn’t Moving Up The Fall Of Khazad-Dum After All

Rings of Power season 2, episode 8 reveals that King Durin III’s greed did wake up the Balrog, but it doesn’t look like it is going to stay awake. Durin’s Ring of Power caused the Dwarven king to ignore the warnings of his son and daughter-in-law, and he dug just a touch too deep, exposing himself and Durin IV to the Balrog. Realizing his mistake, Durin III removed his Ring and sacrificed himself in order to close the Balrog’s champer off. The monster is once again sealed beneath the mountain, where it is likely to return to sleep until future generations’ greed uncovers it.

The monster is once again sealed beneath the mountain, where it is likely to return to sleep until future generations’ greed uncovers it.

The Rings Of Power Season 3’s Dwarf Story Doesn’t Need The Balrog

There’s More Than Enough Going On In Khazad-dûm

Rings of Power implied that the Balrog would destroy Khazad-dûm in season 2, meaning that Durin and his people would have no home very early in the Lord of the Rings timeline. They would have essentially been aimless, which places all these characters in a tough spot for the continued story. There wouldn’t have been enough time for them to build their famed wealth, and any further participation in the war against Sauron would have been virtually impossible. Since the Seven Dwarf Rings were only just introduced, this would have been a complete mess.

Instead, Rings of Power season 3 can focus on King Durin IV’s rule following his father’s death. The finale of season 2 sees the Seven Dwarf Rings still in Khazad-dûm possession, which is intriguing since Durin IV was so determined never to use them. The actual corruption of these Rings will begin once Sauron makes his One Ring, so there is a great deal for the Prime Video series to explore going forward. The next three seasons of Rings of Power can focus on setting up the Balrog’s real awakening when Durin IV’s grandson is king. For now, however, this monster just isn’t needed.